age 1 of 193
HESI RN Mental Health EXAM QUESTIONS and
ANSWERS
Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used in the treatment
of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Risperidone is used to
treat schizophrenia. Carbamazepine and lithium carbonate are
used to treat mood disorders.
A 5-year-old with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) exhibits a short attention span and demonstrates
intermittent head-banging and hair-pulling, as well as excessive
motor activity. What is the priority nursing objective for this
child?
1. Facilitating sleep
2. Maintaining safety
,age 2 of 193
3. Promoting body image
4. Increasing nutritional intake ......ANSWER........2. Maintaining
safety
Excessive motor activity with intermittent head-banging and hair-
pulling is self-destructive behavior that may result in injury;
prevention of self-injury has the highest priority. Facilitating
sleep, promoting body image, and increasing nutritional intake
are not the most important nursing objectives in light of the data
presented; prevention of self-injury is primary.
A nurse is providing information about Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)
meetings to a client with a history of alcohol abuse. What will be
required when the client attends AA meetings?
1. Speaking aloud at weekly meetings
,age 3 of 193
2. Maintaining controlled drinking after 6 months
3. Promising to attend at least 12 meetings yearly
4. Acknowledging an inability to control the alcoholism
......ANSWER........4. Acknowledging an inability to control the
alcoholism
A major premise of AA is that to be successful in achieving
sobriety, clients with an alcohol abuse problem must
acknowledge their inability to control the use of alcohol. There
are no rules of attendance or speaking at meetings, although
both actions are strongly encouraged. Maintaining controlled
drinking after 6 months is not part of the AA program; this
group strongly supports total abstinence for life.
A teenager with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the adolescent
unit of a mental health facility and signs a contract calling for
, age 4 of 193
her to gain weight or lose privileges. There is no weight gain
after a week. What should the nurse explain to the client?
1. The prearranged consequences will go into effect.
2. Death from starvation could occur if the client does not eat.
3. Stricter goals will be instituted if the initial goals are not met.
4. It may be necessary to become involved with meal
preparation. ......ANSWER........1. The prearranged consequences
will go into effect.
The imposition of the prearranged consequences reinforces the
agreed-upon contract; a behavior modification program must
follow through consistently on issues of cause and effect. Death
from starvation is not therapeutic; it is threatening. Goals are not
HESI RN Mental Health EXAM QUESTIONS and
ANSWERS
Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used in the treatment
of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Risperidone is used to
treat schizophrenia. Carbamazepine and lithium carbonate are
used to treat mood disorders.
A 5-year-old with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) exhibits a short attention span and demonstrates
intermittent head-banging and hair-pulling, as well as excessive
motor activity. What is the priority nursing objective for this
child?
1. Facilitating sleep
2. Maintaining safety
,age 2 of 193
3. Promoting body image
4. Increasing nutritional intake ......ANSWER........2. Maintaining
safety
Excessive motor activity with intermittent head-banging and hair-
pulling is self-destructive behavior that may result in injury;
prevention of self-injury has the highest priority. Facilitating
sleep, promoting body image, and increasing nutritional intake
are not the most important nursing objectives in light of the data
presented; prevention of self-injury is primary.
A nurse is providing information about Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)
meetings to a client with a history of alcohol abuse. What will be
required when the client attends AA meetings?
1. Speaking aloud at weekly meetings
,age 3 of 193
2. Maintaining controlled drinking after 6 months
3. Promising to attend at least 12 meetings yearly
4. Acknowledging an inability to control the alcoholism
......ANSWER........4. Acknowledging an inability to control the
alcoholism
A major premise of AA is that to be successful in achieving
sobriety, clients with an alcohol abuse problem must
acknowledge their inability to control the use of alcohol. There
are no rules of attendance or speaking at meetings, although
both actions are strongly encouraged. Maintaining controlled
drinking after 6 months is not part of the AA program; this
group strongly supports total abstinence for life.
A teenager with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the adolescent
unit of a mental health facility and signs a contract calling for
, age 4 of 193
her to gain weight or lose privileges. There is no weight gain
after a week. What should the nurse explain to the client?
1. The prearranged consequences will go into effect.
2. Death from starvation could occur if the client does not eat.
3. Stricter goals will be instituted if the initial goals are not met.
4. It may be necessary to become involved with meal
preparation. ......ANSWER........1. The prearranged consequences
will go into effect.
The imposition of the prearranged consequences reinforces the
agreed-upon contract; a behavior modification program must
follow through consistently on issues of cause and effect. Death
from starvation is not therapeutic; it is threatening. Goals are not
